Sat 10/4 @ Noon-5PM
For decades, Cleveland’s food scene was behind much of the country when it came to it culinary scene, and in the ’70s and ’80s vegetable-based cuisine was rare. Other than a small flurry of “macrobiotic” hippies in the late ’60s and early ’70s, you’d have been hard-pressed to find any vegans.
But all that has changed. Back in 2013, the Cleveland Vegan Society held its first Veg Fest in the Cleveland State student center — and it was packed. Within a few years, it had moved to the Huntington Convention Center, where it attracted tens of thousands of people, including former congressman Dennis Kucinich, an early-adapter vegan, to enjoy food from dozens of meat- and dairy-free vendors, speakers, films, and information tables from cruelty-free organizations.
When the festival was sidelined in 2020 by the pandemic, and then didn’t come back in 2012 … or 2022…. or 2023, it seemed like it might have been yet another COVID casualty. So it was good news for us non-meat eaters when the event returned in 2024.
Now there’s another big — and likely very positive — change for the event. It’s moved outside to Tremont’s Lincoln Park where it will take place this weekend.
Veg Fest will include vendors from across the country, as well as the increasing number of food businesses featuring vegan food. ASnd they’re pretty strict about their definition — they don’t even allow products with honey. Vendors will be offering a range of cruelty-free products and nonprofits with a pro-environment mission such as the Ohio Bird Conservation Network and Planned Parenthood of Great Ohio will share their work. Government agencies such as the Cleveland Water Department, the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (Still angry about the First Energy bailout and taxpayer funding of an obsolete coal plant in Indiana? Vote!) will be offering information as well. In addition — Warning! Warning! — there will be rescues there with super-cute adoptable animals. And yoga instructor Lauren Napoli will be leading a session at 1pm — bring your mat.
A giant tent with tables and chairs will offer eating space, but they suggest bringing a blanket to sit on the grass if you prefer.
There’s a $5 suggested donation. Go here for more information.